A retrospective study of over 311,000 adults revealed that delays in diagnosing hypertension significantly lower treatment rates and elevate cardiovascular risk over five years. Patients diagnosed only after two elevated blood pressure readings showed a dramatically reduced likelihood of receiving antihypertensive medications and faced greater risks of heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction. This highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, emphasizing the potential impact of demographic factors and the need for comprehensive evaluation strategies.

Source: JAMA Network Open